The Washington Nationals made history in a number of ways last postseason. They won their first postseason series ever, after a series of frustrating endings in the National League Division Series. They were down in the 2019 NLDS 2-1 before coming back to win the last two games. They were down 3-2 to the Houston Astros in the World Series…before coming back to win the last two games. That World Series featured road wins in all seven games, the first time that had happened in any seven-game series in any of the American professional sports leagues. One thing that Nationals fans (and other sports betting enthusiasts) may have forgotten is that the Nationals started the season 19-31. They did not win the National League East (that was the Braves), and they never came within four games of leading their division. They even had a deficit late in the wild card game, until a late error opened the door for a comeback. How will the Nationals follow all of that magic up in 2020? For those of you who want to include MLB Odds & MLB futures in your sports betting, we have a pre-season look at the 2020 Washington Nationals.
MLB: Washington Nationals 2020 Pre-Season Analysis
Washington Nationals Offensive Analysis
The offense’s hopes key on Juan Soto. He hit 34 home runs with a .401 OBP in 2019. His plate discipline is outstanding, which served him well in the postseason. Center fielder Victor Robles (.255/.326/.419) also returns. But can the club score 873 runs again? That was the total they hit last year, sixth in Major League Baseball. With the changes to the roster, primarily the loss of Rendon, that will be hard to match.
One question that fans have to be asking is why Washington didn’t go after Josh Donaldson when it became clear that Rendon was on the way out. Instead of getting a third baseman with an established bat, they now have a position by committee, with Asdrubal Cabrera, Howie Kendrick, Starlin Castro and Carter Kieboom, a touted prospect, all projected to get time at the hot corner. Kieboom had a .902 OPS at Triple A.
Washington Nationals Defensive Analysis
Stephen Strasburg, the reigning World Series, MVP, returns, thanks to a seven-year, $245 million deal. The rest of the rotation is also back, by and large, with four starters who combined to start 123 games, eat up 749 innings and fan 866 batters with a combined 3.33 ERA all set to start the season. One important question involves whether Patrick Corbin, a spot starter who came up huge in the World Series, can match his statistics from a year ago.
Washington Nationals Key Offseason Moves
The biggest subtraction on the Washington roster is Anthony Rendon, their third baseman who just kept delivering in the clutch, both in the field and with his bat. He is now on the West Coast, having signed a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Trea Turner, the 26-year-old shortstop, is the team’s remaining superstar, but around him are a bunch of, to be kind, veterans. Asdrubal Cabrera is 34. Howie Kendrick is 36. Ryan Zimmerman is 35. Roster additions Starlin Castro (30) and Eric Thames (33) are not young either. So the Nationals enter 2020 with an older roster than the one they finished 2019 with.
- Washington Nationals Odds to Win the World Series: 18/1
- Washington Nationals Odds to Win the NL Pennant: 8/1
It’s hard to get lightning back into a bottle, and given how hard a marathon the MLB regular season is, repeating as World Series champions is difficult. Injuries crop up, hunger comes and goes, and some teams can make another deep run, while others cannot. How hungry will the Nats be after their amazing win over Houston? How do you top that? The likes of Max Scherzer will provide intensity in the clubhouse, but another slow start could cause that to get a little stale. The Phillies, the Braves and even the Mets could be better than Washington in the East this year.
